The attacks appear to have been planned, but I am not going to fall in the trap of calling them sophisticated. How hard is it to gather a dozen fanatics, hand them an AK, a backpack full of ammo, hand grenades and almonds and tell them to shoot westerners in a hotel. If they came in on boats that is an additional degree of difficulty, but it's not like they were storming Normandy. In addition if they launched from the cargo ship already identified, they have given valuable info to those who will investigate the crime.

They hit a number of targets (10 or more) and again while a complicating factor not much more difficult. The reason the degree of sophistication matters is in determining who did this, and were they a local Indian group, a local group that was trained abroad, or a foreign group infiltrating. The news reports seem to have decided that an attack of this complexity is beyond the capability of local Indians. I find that comical given the fact that half of India works in IT shops pounding out the complicated computer code that runs the rest of the world. Most of the 9-11 bastards were college-educated , India has plenty of potential recruits so it is certainly possible local groups could have done this.

That said, Pakistan has many groups capable and desirous of making attacks like this and their Intel svc, often acts as a terrorist support unit. India's leader Manmohan Singh already stated this event had outside influence and neighbors should expect them to take action. Another thing to consider is where the heck is al Qaeda? If they weren't involved, then what relevance do they still hold. I mean if an unaffiliated group can pull this off and bin Laden can't even be roused from room temp to make a video, well maybe their time has passed. It will be a while before we know who did this and even then we won't really know because we have no human intel to speak of.

At the link above about Taliban throwing acid in girls faces simply because they were going to school, I wrote:

While it's probably wishful thinking, I hope we find the Taliban who attacked the girls...

Acid Attack Shows Nature of Taliban
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - It's a measure of the enemy in Afghanistan that Taliban
terrorists attacked girls walking to school in Afghanistan on Nov. 12
by throwing acid in their faces, a senior Defense Department official
said today.

"It was obviously a despicable attack," Pentagon spokesman Bryan
Whitman said. "It's a reflection of the brutality and backwardness of
the enemy we're dealing with here. I certainly hope this is not any
trend of tactic that the Taliban have, because it is a truly despicable
act."

KABUL, Afghanistan:
The police in Kandahar Province arrested 10 Taliban militants they said
were involved in an attack this month on a group of Afghan schoolgirls
whose faces were doused with acid, officials in Kandahar said Tuesday.

The officials said that the militants, who were Afghan citizens, had
confessed to their involvement in the attack on the schoolgirls and
their teachers on Nov. 12 and that a high-ranking member of the Taliban
had paid the militants 100,000 Pakistani rupees ($1,275) for each girl
they managed to burn.

The girls were assaulted by two men on a motorcycle who were
apparently irate that the girls had been attending high school. The men
drove up beside them and splashed their faces with what appeared to be
battery acid.

Zalmay Ayobi, the spokesman for General Rahmatullah Raufi, the
governor of Kandahar, said the orders to carry out the attack had been
given from a foreign country, although he did not identify it.

The militants were arrested by the police last week. Ayobi said a
joint delegation from the Interior Ministry and the office of the
attorney general in the capital, Kabul, had arrived in Kandahar, in
southern Afghanistan, on Monday to evaluate the cases of the suspects.

The delegation, led by the deputy interior minister along with the
governor of Kandahar, announced today that the suspects confessed their
involvement in the attack, Ayobi said.

He said Afghanistan's courts would decide the attackers' fate after the investigation was completed.

At least two of the girls were hospitalized by the attack, their faces blackened and burned.

The attack was condemned at the time by Laura Bush, who described
the Taliban as "cowardly and shameful" for carrying out the attack.

"The Taliban's continued terror attacks threaten the progress that
has been made in Afghanistan," the first lady said in a statement,
adding, "These cowardly and shameful acts are condemned by honorable
people in the United States and around the world."

Mrs. Bush has been an advocate for the women of Afghanistan during
her husband's tenure. She has visited Afghanistan three times to put a
spotlight on development and women's issues, most recently in June, a
trip cloaked in secrecy so she would not become a target of terrorists.

"You know we have a lot to be thankful for today. Our boys are home safe." - Barbara Filicsky, mother of Specialist Jason Filiscsky

Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery of the Indiana National Guard returned home from Iraq to Indianapolis on Thanksgiving morning...the Patriot Guard Riders were there to welcome them home. Here's some photos of the reunions:

FIRST SERGEANT GETS A HUG
Indiana National Guard 1st Sgt. Euripides Perez hugs his wife, Lupe, at a Stout Field hangar in Indianapolis, Nov. 27. Perez, of South Bend, Ind. is the top enlisted Solder with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery. Perez returned to Hoosier soil along with more than 320 Citizen-Soldiers with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team on Thanksgiving morning. Photographer for all photos: Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, Indiana National Guard.

STAFF SERGEANT WILSON GETS A KISS
Stacy Wilson of Rossville, Ind. kisses her husband, Staff Sgt. Mark Wilson, at a Stout Field hangar in Indianapolis, Nov. 27. Wilson, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery squad leader, returned to Hoosier soil along with more than 320 Citizen-Soldiers with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team after a nine-month deployment to Iraq.

THE CO GETS ENGAGED
Indiana National Guard Capt. Logan Goettler, of Indianapolis and Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery commander, proposes marriage to his girlfriend, Amanda Cook, Nov. 27. The couple has been together for nearly two years. Goettler returned to Hoosier soil after a nine-month deployment to Iraq with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Indiana National Guard Capt. Logan Goettler slides an engagement ring on his fiancee's finger, Nov. 27. Goettler, of Indianapolis and Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery commander, and Amanda Cook have been together for nearly two years.

MORE HUGS FOR SPECIALIST GULLEY
Indiana National Guard Spc. James Gulley receives hugs from his daughters, Emily, left, and Mercedes, right, at a Stout Field hangar in Indianapolis, Nov. 27. Gulley, of Indianapolis and a fuel specialist with Company E, 113th Brigade Support Battalion, returned to Hoosier soil along with more than 320 Citizen-Soldiers with 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team after a nine-month deployment to Iraq.

A FEAST AWAITS
Baghdad soldiers and airmen wait in line outside the Ironhorse Oasis Dining Facility at Camp Liberty, Iraq, for their turn to eat the Thanksgiving Day feast, Nov. 27, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield.

I probably played it closer to the vest than I needed to, but I spent Thanksgiving with Patti and Jeff, Chuck and Caren, Toby, and just a few others out in Texas. To be honest, I'm not sure how many where there throughout the day, but I think it was better than 20 that sat down to eat the formal meal. We had some special guests with us, and the fearless young lady above was one of them (and Guitar Hero was quite popular). There were games, treats, and prizes during the day, and anyone who knows Patti will be unsurprised to know that we probably could have fed a company: one roasted turkey, two deep fried turkeys, and one smoked; a couple of hams; mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, asparagus, salad, rolls; and, some other assorted items that escape me at the moment. I don't think anyone left without treats and food, and it was amusing watching one vehicle get packed at the end of the day.

It was a great day, filled with friends old and new. I hope yours was a good one too.

OK, I will not allow the ass-ification of our culture to simply go un-opposed. Today I saw two of the worst renditions of our National Anthem outside of the excremental Rosanne Barr's version. Some silly, little yotch sang to open up the slaughter in Dallas, and since the Cuda declared this T-Day to be about slaughter, the first two games have been on theme. But back to this ridiculous excuse for a singer deciding that she would put so many BS trills in the song that Mariah Carey threw up. She was awful and watching her preen and enjoy how great it was that so many people were watching her made me throw up. She just didn't want it to end. I sure as hell did. She desecrated the song and I would have loved nothing more than Simon Cowell ripping her a new one saying that even as a jackass Brit he was offended.

Now on to the chump who needs a prompter for the freaking lyrics at the night game in Philly. He intones "FOR the ramparts we watched" Know the words to the only song you will ever sing that actually matters you stupid punk. He screwed up a few more times before actually causing me to jump up and threaten his f**king life (Literally out of my mouth, figuratively for legal purposes). He sang "Land of the Free, and the Home of the...." and then the bastard stopped and did one of those spin around snapping and pointing at the crowd moves to allow them to acknowledge how cool he was before he deigned to actually finish the song. OMFG!

We have a challenge ahead as those who know nothing about our culture, and don't like the things they don't know, try to remake America. It doesn't need a makeover, it needs a little respect. And pull up your pants.

I have had perhaps the happiest year of my life just now. My blessings are legion. I want to give thanks to some of those who made it possible. Family always leads and mine makes me proud and happy. I am also blessed with some amazing friends and gladly count Matty O among them.

But there is a large group of people who as much as anyone else have allowed me to chase dreams as a 44 year old Calvin. That is you people, the mighty BLACKFIVE audience. Thanks to every one of you because the power we all bring to the table is why I am now a full time new media guru. You are informed, engaged, patriotic, wild, strong, and un-repentantly proud to be Americans or friends of ours. I love the comments we get and the emails both pro and con. I use you as a resource to correct my lameness and I know I aggravate the shit out of some of you. Thanks for being part of our fight to make sure that our best and brightest don't ever doubt that America has their back.

2009 will be epic and I can't wait to unveil some of the amazing stuff on the way. Enjoy the holidays, love your families and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Here are some pics from a walk around my brother's neighborhood in DC.

Today, the day which we reflect on what we as Americans have come to be thankful for, I wanted to post a few things from Thanksgiving's past. This is my 2d anniversary here at the 'Five, and I, for one example, am VERY thankful to be a part of such a fantastic team.

Today, I give thanks for:

A family I care about, and cares for me;

A soldier or sailor away from home, doing their duty, away from their family and friends, allowing me to be with mine;

A country that is the best in the world;

A home;

People who want to read the drivel I write here;

The chance to make a difference- anywhere, any time.

I hope each and EVERY one of you are with family and friends this day, and remind you to give thanks for that opportunity and the men and women out there who ensure we have that chance- and this includes those First Responders out there!

Thanks, to all of you, who make this possible... bless you one and all!

The Authors

Former Paratrooper and Army Officer, "Blackfive" started this blog upon learning of the valorous sacrifice of a friend that was not reported by the journalist whose life he saved. Email: blackfive AT gmail DOT com

Instapinch
Bill Paisley, otherwise known as Pinch, is a 22 year (ongoing) active and
reserve naval aviator. He blogs over at www.instapinch.com on a veritable
cornucopia of various and sundry items and will bring a tactical naval
aviator's perspective to Blackfive. Readers be warned: any comments of or
about the F-14 Tomcat will be reverential and spoken in low, hushed tones.
Email: wpaisley AT comcast DOT net

Mr. Wolf has over 26 years in the Army, Army NG, and USAR. He’s Airborne with 5 years as an NCO, before becoming an officer. Mr. Wolf has had 4 company commands. Signal Corp is his basic branch, and Public Affairs is his functional area. He recently served 22 straight months in Kuwait and Iraq, in Intel, PA, and senior staff of MNF-I. Mr. Wolf is now an IT executive. He is currently working on a book on media and the Iraq war. Functional gearhead.

In Iraq, he received the moniker of Mr. Wolf after the Harvey Kietel character in Pulp Fiction, when "challenges" arose, they called on Mr. Wolf...
Email: TheDOTMrDOTWolfAT gmail DOT com

Deebow is a Staff Sergeant and a Military Police Squad Leader in the Army National Guard. In a previous life, he served in the US Navy. He has over 19 years of experience in both the Maritime and Land Warfare; including deployments to Southwest Asia, Thailand, the South Pacific, South America and Egypt. He has served as a Military Police Team Leader and Protective Services Team Leader and he has served on assignments with the US State Department, US Air Force Security Police, US Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. He recently spent time in Afghanistan working with, training and fighting alongside Afghan Soldiers and is now focused on putting his 4 year Political Science degree to work by writing about foreign policy, military security policy and politics.

McQ has 28 years active and reserve service. Retired. Infantry officer. Airborne and Ranger. Consider my 3 years with the 82nd as the most fun I ever had with my clothes on. Interests include military issues and policy and veteran's affairs.
Email: mcq51 -at - bellsouth -dot- net

Tantor is a former USAF navigator/weapon system officer (WSO) in F-4E Phantoms who served in the US, Asia, and Europe. He is now a curmudgeonly computer geek in Washington, DC, picking the taxpayers pocket. His avocations are current events, aviation, history, and conservative politics.

Twenty-three years of Active and Reserve service in the US Army in SF (18B), Infantry and SOF Signal jobs with operational deployments to Bosnia and Africa. Since retiring he's worked as Senior Defense Analyst on SOF and Irregular Warfare projects and currently ensconced in the emerging world of Cyberspace.

The Authors Emeritus

Major Pain --
A Marine who began his blog in Iraq and reflects back on what he learned there and in Afghanistan. To the point opinions, ideas and thoughts on military, political and the media from One Marine’s View.Email: onemarinesview AT yahoo DOT com

Uber Pig was an Infantryman from late 1991 until early 1996, serving with Second Ranger Battalion, I Corps, and then 25th Infantry Division. At the time, the Army discriminated against enlisted soldiers who wanted use the "Green to Gold" program to become officers, so he left to attend Stanford University. There, he became expert in detecting, avoiding, and surviving L-shaped ambushes, before dropping out to be as entrepreneurial as he could be. He is now the founder of a software startup serving the insurance and construction industries, and splits time between Lake Tahoe, Boonville, and San Francisco, CA.

Uber Pig writes for Blackfive a) because he's the proud brother of an enlisted Civil Affairs Reservist who currently serves in Iraq, b) because he looks unkindly on people who make it harder for the military in general, and for his brother in particular, to succeed at their missions and come home in victory, and c) because the Blackfive readers and commenters help keep him sane.

COB6 spent 24 years in the active duty Army that included 5 combat tours with service in the 1st Ranger Battalion and 1st Special Forces Group . COB6 was enlisted (E-7) and took the OCS route to a commission. COB6 retired a few years back as a field grade Infantry officer.
Currently COB6 has a son in the 82nd Airborne that just returned from his third tour and has a newly commissioned daughter in the 4th Infantry Division.